City's persistent beggars face arrest

The policy covers nuisance beggars plus those who are aggressive or abusive and persistent.

Inspector Kevin Pickles, who wrote the policy and leads the neighbourhood policing team (NPT) for the city ward, said: "People should be able to visit and work in Bradford city centre without feeling threatened or intimidated."

Officers said that they will not tolerate aggressive and abusive beggars who will face arrest on public order offences.

Persistent beggars – those who regularly beg but are not being aggressive or abusive – will be arrested for the offence of begging.

Passive/nuisance beggars – those who appear every so often and "try their luck" to obtain money – will be told to leave and referred to the Asbo team.

Inspector Pickles said that people who are found begging on the city centre's streets will be offered help to change their lives.

"This isn't just a case of arresting them though, we are also looking at how they can get help to stop them begging – for example, help with a drugs or alcohol problem," he said.